November 13, 2013

Food packaging event targets Kansas and international people in need

With a growing global population, food security is more important now than ever before. But with the spotlight on food aid in foreign countries, Americans sometimes forget about their own neighbors who may struggle to find meals for their family.

The Kansas State University chapter of Alpha Zeta is hosting K-State Hunger Aid, a foreign and domestic food packaging event. The event will be from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 17 at the National Guard Armory, 721 Levee Drive, Manhattan.

Both international and domestic meals will be packaged in two 90-minute shifts with volunteers representing both the university and the community. Alpha Zeta and partner organization Outreach are aiming to package 40,000 meals. Half of these will go to hungry Kansans around the state, and the other half will go to Tanzania. But this can only happen with donations of time and money. Donate to K-State Hunger Aid or sign up for a food packaging shift.

Alpha Zeta is an organization focused on promoting scholarship, leadership and agriculture through its members. The organization also has hosted the SWIPE Out Hunger food packaging event in previous years. In total, the K-State chapter has raised funds, recruited volunteers and packaged more than 145,000 meals in total. Alpha Zeta also hosts lectures and assists in promoting agriculture through events in the college year round.